Dwayne Johnson may be “franchise Viagra,” having helped prop up the Journey to the Center of the Earth, Fast and Furious, and G.I. Joe movie series over the past couple of years, but even he can’t keep Dito Montiel‘s Empire State from going straight to DVD.

The film’s lack of a theatrical run is even more surprising when we look at the rest of the cast list: The Hunger Games‘ Liam Hemsworth leads, while Michael Angarano and Emma Roberts play supporting roles. As starry ensembles go, it’s not Les Misérables, but it’s a combination that sounds on paper like it should sell tickets.

Then again, even the brightest, most talented stars can only do so much to elevate an otherwise mediocre film. And while the first trailer isn’t quite terrible, it is damningly generic. Hit the jump to check it out.

After trying her hand at comedy, horror, romance, family film, and drama, Emma Roberts is now moving into the thriller genre with Dito Montiel‘s Empire State. Based on a real-life heist, Adam Mazer‘s screenplay centers around a pair of longtime pals in Astoria, NY who devise a plan to rob an armored car. Liam Hemsworth is one of the friends; the other has not been cast. Dwayne Johnson is also set to star, as an NYPD detective on the case, while Roberts will play a waitress, the requisite love interest role for Hemsworth.

Roberts, who recently appeared in the Sundance dramedy Celeste and Jesse Forever, is currently shooting the indie comedy Adult World with John Cusack. Empire State will enter production this spring. [Variety]

After the jump, a current Bond girl becomes an influential world leader.

Two of the most in-demand action stars working right now may be on the verge of teaming up. Liam Hemsworth and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson are close to signing on for Dito Montiel‘s Empire State, with the former on the verge of closing a deal and the latter in negotiations. The film sounds more or less like what you might expect from a collaboration between Hemsworth and Johnson: It’s an indie heist movie involving an armored car robbery. More details after the jump.